This is intended to be a homage to very many musicians I've loved since I started listening to music. My intention is to tell what I know about them, hoping that those people who like them too, will help me fill numerous gaps, which I may have in their careers and discographies. Sorry, but there are no MP3 audio files here at all, just info (and love for the musicians).

After returning from ´exile´ in Germany, Denny Ball found his brother was playing John Mayall type blues, and sounding like a cross between Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton. Denny joined Chicago Hush and started to experiment with a different style of bass playing.

This is how it happened: The Ball brothers were all in Germany, in different bands. Dave was in The Madding Crowd in the north, and Pete was in The Sorcerors playing the same circuit as Denny in The Mayfair Set. Denny first met Cozy Powell on stage at a Sorcerors gig in Frankfurt. A jam session ensued, and a musical relationship was born. It was Pete Ball who had met up with Cozy Powell in Germany in 1967, and hired him to play in the Sorcerors. This band spent some time in Germany and then went to Turkey playing USAF bases before going back to England. When Cozy and Pete returned, Cozy stayed at the Ball household, and lived with the family on and off for the next three years. The Sorcerors changed their name to Young Blood, and signed a record deal with Pye records. They released several singles (Denny wrote some songs with them). And that close friendship gave birth to Ideal Milk.

There are some early recordings by this trio including a BBC session, and some rehearsal tapes of the music which later formed the basis of the Bedlam album.

Cozy handed his notice in to Youngblood. An interesting situation in which the Ball brothers and Cozy were all sharing the same house. Cozy was quitting Pete Ball’s band to join forces with the other Ball brothers. Fortunately, Pete Ball was very philosophical about the whole thing, and realised that Cozy was heading for a different style of playing, and that he was much more interested in a rock band.

The Ace Kefford Stand started rehearsals on September 2nd 1968. The first gig by this band was at the Belfry (home of the famous golf club) on September 21st 1968. Amongst the sell out crowd were members of The Move. Robert Plant and John Bonham also gave their support.

The Stand played some college and university gigs as they waited to secure a record deal which finally came from Atlantic Records.

From early recording sessions at Polydor in London, they released a single, ´For your love / Gravy booby jamm´ (Atlantic, Apr 69), being the A-side a cover of The Yardbirds. This song can also be found in The perfumed garden, vol. 2 sampler compilation.

A second single called ´This World’s an Apple´ (Oct 69, Atlantic) was released under the name of Big Bertha featuring Ace Kefford. This was after the band had split up. This record is now a rare collector’s item.

In mid 69, Ace Kefford quits, and the rest formed a new band, Big Bertha. But meanwhile, Cozy Powell tried to form a power trio with Clem Clempson.

The band signed to United Artists and recorded four tracks. ´Munich City´ was released in Germany and sold well. But after weeks of inactivity, and just a handful of gigs, Cozy was approached by Jeff Beck’s management company to meet with the legendary guitarist in London (where Denny would briefly join too).

But Denny Ball soon returned to Big Bertha. Denny returned to the fold to try with his two brothers to salvage the band. They auditioned a new drummer. and set about replacing Dave MacTavish who quit when Cozy Powell left.

After several days of auditions, two of the most unlikely people turned up at the house:

The new band was created, and with the new singers a whole new approach had to be made to the material. Denny wrote several new songs. Often sitting in a corner of the A&R department of the record company, or in the demo studio of the publishing department scribbling lyrics. The band were given a record producer Dick James and a rehearsal studio in which to come up with the right formula.

United Artists continued to make use of their signings through sessions and other appearances:

Frank and Maria released a single on which Cozy played.

Denny produced a track called ´Ring of Fire´ on which Cozy, Dave, Frank and Maria performed (as well as Ed Welch playing keyboards). It was written for Gary Hamilton, one of the stars of the stage show Hair. It was originally intended as a single for him.

Ed Welch recorded an album on which Cozy played and which produced a hit single called ´Clowns´.

A band called Walrus released a single called ´Never gonna let my body touch the ground´ originally written for Big Bertha by Denny.

In January 1971, a promoter in Germany wanted to book the now defunct Big Bertha. United Artists agreed to limited funding for the band to go over and perform:

A series of gigs in north Germany were put together and at last the band who called themselves Ideal Milk went on the road as a trio. Denny and Dave somehow managed the vocals over a thunderous Cream/Hendrix type of music full of solos and awesome power.

During the tour a live recording was made. The tapes are very interesting!

At the end of the tour, the trio vowed to reform ‘at some juncture’ and ‘do it properly’.

Cozy Powell went back to the Jeff Beck Group, Denny went to Long John Baldry Group, and Dave Ball joined superb band Procol Harum.

They only released a live album, Live in concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, a very beautiful album, with the company of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and the Da Carmera Singers. It was recorded on November 18th, 1971 at the Jubilee Auditorium, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. A single from that album hit the charts, ´Conquistador´, with a superb solo by Dave Ball.

In September 1972, Dave Ball leaves the band, having recorded the tracks for next album, Grand hotel (released in March 1973), being replaced by Mick Grabham.

The band play a few UK dates, and the Good to be Alive album was recorded. With some great guests: Lesley Duncan (vocals), Sue Glover (vocals), Liza Strike (vocals), Kay Garner (vocals), Sam Mitchell (guitar), Andy Bown (keyboards), Jimmy Horowitz (keyboards), John Mealing (keyboards), Terry Cox (drums) and Tony Newman (drums).

Other info on members of Long John Baldry Band (I know up to 109 members)

They released a self titled album, Bedlam. With help from old Cozy mate, Max Middleton (keyboards). Produced by the late Felix Pappalardi (Cream's producer, and bassist in Mountain), who also played keyboards. They also released a single, ´I believe in you / Whiskey and wine´ (1973, Chrysalis).

There are also some sessions of unreleased material which were scheduled for Bedlam II, but unfortunately, that never happened, as they split in April 74.

There is also a CD of Bedlam from a live radio show recorded in 1974 when they were on tour with Black Sabbath.

In April 2012, Dave Ball released his first ever solo album, Don´t forget your alligator. But this was followed by a very sad news, when Dave Ball passed away on April 1st, 2015, after battling with cancer. Dave, you'll be very missed. Thanks for all your kindness along these years.

Comments: He is a British singer with a folk touch. Twice around the houses is his 2nd solo album, and it features Dave Ball (guitar, from Procol Harum), plus some members of famous folk-rock bands: Jerry Donahue (guitar, ex-Fotheringay, then in Fairport Convention), Rick Kemp (bass, from Steeleye Span), Gerry Conway (drums, from Fotheringay), Donal Lunny, Jim Toomey (drums), and from Quiver: Tim Renwick (guitar), Peter Wood (keyboards).

RELATED VIDEO LINKS: 10
Disclaimer: I don´t own or upload any of the videos linked here. I just include links to live videos that are already available, in order to show the work of this musician. Anyway, if someone feels that some link shouldn't be included, please write me at the email address shown below. And if you know of more videos featuring Dave Ball, please, also write me with the link.